Zverev 'on top of the world' after securing No. 1 ranking

VIENNA, Austria — Alexander Zverev accelerated his ascent to number one in the world rankings for the first time in his career on Thursday as he beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open. The 29-year-old German was already assured of finishing the season top of the ATP rankings but, in the absence of current incumbent Jannik Sinner, two-time Grand Slam champion Zverev will now take that crown in next week's updated standings after winning his opening two matches in the Austrian capital. "(It is) very special. To have the feeling to be on the top of the world is amazing," Zverev said. "It is different than winning a tournament or a title, but it's such a special feeling to know that the No. 1 is going to be next to your name when the new rankings come out." Long seen as tennis' nearly-man, Zverev has enjoyed a stellar 2026, breaking his major duck by picking up the titles at the French and US Opens. Now he has broken further ground by becoming only the 30th man to claim top spot since the rankings were first published in 1973. He will be aged 29 years and 196 days when Monday's new rankings are...